26
www.stokegiffordjournal.co.uk
Get well · Stay well
O
by Moira de Groot, foot health practitioner at Willow Brook Clinic
Look after your feet
ur feet are the workhorses of our bodies, yet we give them so little respect. It’s easy to take our feet for granted. They’re just there, putting up with a host of challenges; from being tucked away in shoes and socks, jammed into ill-fitting shoes, taking you on long road runs and heavy workouts in the gym. Spending just a few minutes a day on foot care and choosing the right shoes can keep you free of problems that may lead to pain and discomfort. Make sure you wash your feet, especially between your toes, with soap and water, carefully and regularly. If you can’t balance safely, use a longhandled brush or sit on a chair outside the bath to wash your feet under the taps. Be sure to dry feet completely, especially in-between your toes. This wash-and-dry system lessens problems such as athlete’s foot, odour, bacteria and fungus. If you like to soak your feet, use warm water and a little soap. Use salt water if you are concerned about infection or bad odour. Moisturise your feet after washing, especially if you suffer with dry skin. Something is better than nothing – your foot health practitioner can advise you on what is the best moisturiser for your feet. Alternate the shoes you wear each day. Change socks or stockings every day. Your feet should not hurt
– ever. Tight shoes can be uncomfortable and can affect the way that you walk. If you wear high heels, try not to walk any distance in them. Ensure that your shoes have a wide toe box. To protect your Achilles tendon and plantar fascia, regularly wear pairs of shoes with differing heel heights. Choose shoes with broad heels, arch supports and good shock absorbency. Pregnancy, aging and diabetes all affect your feet. Look after yourself and look after your feet. Check your feet for problems every day and see a foot health practitioner or podiatrist for advice and a regular check-up to ensure your workhorses are as well as they can be.
t: 01454 300 400
November 2018
News By Adrian Kerton, local history enthusiast n 2014, an archaeological century planned farm which had investigation was carried sealed the masonry of a probable out by Absolute Archaeology medieval tithe barn. on behalf of the Trustees That such a barn existed was of the Old School Rooms not surprising, considering that prior to the construction of Stoke Gifford was primarily an the new St Michael’s Centre agricultural community which which was designed to serve continued into the 1970s. Indeed, the communities of Stoke when one looks at the older Gifford, Bristol and beyond. maps, one can see little change It was opened in 2015 as part until the arrival of the Bovis of the audacious Heart of ‘Royal Estate’ off Sandringham the Community project at St Road in 1978. Tithe barns were Michael’s Church, Stoke Gifford. the repository of the produce What was discovered surprised required from the farmers of and delighted the archaeologists the rural community when, in as the foundations of a medieval medieval times, the church took barn which had disappeared a tenth of everyone’s income in from the minds of the good folks addition to any taxes they paid to of Stoke Gifford was uncovered. the crown, and this barn would Beneath the old engineering have been an essential part of the works was evidence of a 19th life of Stoke Gifford.
I
Stoke Gifford Journal: 2,000 fans
The Willow Brook Clinic East Offices The Willow Brook Centre www.willowbrookclinic.co.uk ● See our advert on page 9.
To advertise in this magazine or on our websites, phone The Journal’s sales team on 01454 300 400